Noricum Gold (LSE:NMG), the Austrian focused gold exploration and development company, is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Michael Hutchinson to its Board of Directors as Non-Executive Chairman with immediate effect. Michael brings to Noricum Gold extensive operational experience in Europe and is expected to have an immediate positive effect on the Company as it continues to progress its flagship project, the previously producing Rotgulden gold and precious metal mine in Austria, through the next stages of development.
The Company’s current Non-Executive Chairman, Marcus Edwards-Jones, will move to the role of Senior Non-Executive Director.
Mr Hutchinson has enjoyed a prominent career in resources and commodity trading, having previously served as a Director of the London Metal Exchange, the world’s largest market in options and futures contracts for base and other metals.
In 1971 he joined the Metallgesellschaft group, one of Germany’s largest industrial conglomerates. In 1982 he joined the board of Metallgesellschaft Ltd and became Managing Director of the company in 1985. In 1999 he became CEO of MG Plc (a group subsidiary) and was also appointed Chairman and Chief Executive of Metallgesellschaft Ltd. In 2000 Metallgesellschaft Ltd was acquired by Enron and then in 2002 the company was acquired by Sempra Energy and renamed Sempra Metals Ltd, with Michael being appointed president and CEO of the company.
Mr Hutchinson is currently the non-executive chairman of Armajaro Holdings Ltd and Greenland Minerals and Energy Limited and senior independent director of Mecom Group Plc. He was formerly the non-executive chairman of RBS Sempra Metals Limited and chairman of Wogen Plc.
Noricum Gold Managing Director Greg Kuenzel said, “Michael brings with him a wealth of experience and a broad network of contacts spanning the finance and resource sectors, particularly in Europe, and I am delighted to welcome him to the Board of Noricum Gold. This is an exciting phase for us and we look forward to working with Michael during the next stage in the Company’s development.”